Social Welfare: Historical Evolution and Ethical Critique

 

The concept of public welfare has ancient roots, but for the purpose of this analysis, its modern foundation can be placed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth in 1601 with the implementation of the Poor Laws. This system established the precedent of taxing employed citizens to fund aid for the unemployed and indigent.

In the United States, formalized public assistance began with programs like War Veterans' Assistance implemented after the Civil War to support disabled veterans or those unable to find work. Around 1900, public relief was administered mainly by state and local authorities to aid the poor and unemployed (StudyCorgi, 2020).

 

The Shift to Federal Responsibility

 

Before the Great Depression, assistance to the poor was primarily provided by charitable organizations, a major portion of which were church-based and funded solely through donations. Families also played a significant role in community and kinship support. However, during the Great Depression, this local public-private assistance model collapsed due as donations plummeted, rendering the assistance unsustainable.

The subsequent major shift occurred during the Roosevelt administration with the implementation of the New Deal. This era marked the beginning of large-scale federal responsibility for social welfare. Programs enacted then remain central to the U.S. budget today, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The Social Security Program, in particular, is the largest component of the U.S. federal budget, spending approximately $1.1 trillion in 2020 (Congressional Budget Office, 2021).

 

Social Welfare and Biblical Principles

 

The implementation of government-funded social welfare programs raises a significant moral issue regarding the forced redistribution of wealth—the act of taking money or property from one person and giving it to another. This practice is critiqued as violating not only the founding principles of the United States (which emphasize natural property rights) but also several core Biblical principles.

 

The Prohibition of Theft

 

The primary critique stems from the Ten Commandments, specifically Exodus 20:15, which commands, “Thou shalt not steal.” The argument maintains that government taking from one person through taxes (or any other means) and giving it to another is a form of coerced transfer, which is morally equivalent to theft when executed under the threat of violence or confinement.

This interpretation is supported by passages regarding the limits of government force. When addressing tax collectors, the Bible urges moderation: “Collect no more than you are authorized to do” (Holy Bible, Luke 3:12-14 ESV). Furthermore, soldiers are warned, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation and be content with your wages” (Holy Bible, Luke 3:12-14 ESV). This suggests that any government action that exceeds its constitutionally authorized (or Biblically permissible) limit, or that uses coercion to extort funds, is a moral violation.

 

Charity vs. Coercion

 

While the Bible is noticeably clear on the value and necessity of charity (Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Proverbs 28:27, Romans 15:1-2), it emphasizes that charity must be voluntary. The Scriptures do not authorize the government, or any other entity, to force someone to contribute to charitable endeavors. A person should choose to help another person out of moral conviction, not legal compulsion. Therefore, the distinction between private, voluntary charity and government-mandated, coercive taxation is the central conflict from this theological perspective.

 

References

 

Bibles, E. (2020). ESV Student Study Bible (TruTone, Navy/Slate, Timeless Design) (Illustrated ed.). Crossway.

Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV). (2001).

The Federal Budget in Fiscal Year 2020: An Infographic. (2021, April 30). Congressional Budget Office. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/57170

StudyCorgi. (2020, April 3). Social Welfare History in the USA. https://studycorgi.com/social-welfare-history-in-the-usa/